April 11, 2005
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced her appointments to the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Monument Fund Commission.  Once completed, Michigan’s Law Enforcement Memorial will commemorate the Michigan law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, including 512 officers to date.
 
“It’s nearly impossible to overstate the importance of the work Michigan’s law enforcement does each day to ensure that our families and loved ones are safe,” Granholm said.  “This memorial will serve to remind us of the sacrifices of those officers who died making Michigan a better, safer place to live.”
 
The Commission, created by Public Act 177 of 2004, was established to oversee the financing, design and construction of Michigan’s Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
 
Appointed to the Commission are:

Kathy Cole of Holt, widow of Deputy Paul Cole who was killed while responding to a domestic assault October 6, 1996.  Ms. Cole is appointed to represent survivors of an officer of a county sheriff’s department killed while on duty for a term expiring June 30, 2008.

Jim Niewiek of Grand Rapids, father of trooper Steven Niewiek who was killed while in pursuit on August 2, 1992.  Mr. Niewiek is appointed to represent survivors of Michigan State Police killed while on duty for a term expiring June 30, 2008.
 
Lin Emmert of Omena, mother of Grand Haven Department of Public Safety Officer Scott Flahive who was shot by a jail escapee on Devember 13, 1994.  Ms. Emmert is appointed to represent survivors of an officer killed while on duty who served a municipal police department with a population of 500,000 or less for a term expiring June 30, 2008.

Diane Philpot of Brownstown, widow of Detroit police officer Jerry Philpot who was killed in a shoot-out in southwest Detroit on May 25, 1995.  Ms. Philpot is appointed to represent survivors of an officer killed while on duty who served a municipal police department with a population of more than 500,000 for a term expiring June 30, 2008.

James Salo of Mt. Morris, chaplain in the Michigan State Police Chaplain Corps.  Mr. Salo is representing police chaplain’s having five or more years of experience for a term expiring June 30, 2008.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval.
 
The 12th Annual State of Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Candlelight Memorial Service will be Monday, May 2 on the steps of the State Capitol Building in Lansing as part of Law Enforcement Week in Michigan.